By Manoj Nayak
Bhubaneswar, October 22, 2018: CARAVAN or a rally with a theme “Batei Aman Ki” (story of us all) is a unique programme of women’s empowerment. It has the special objective and message of equality, equal rights, protection of constitutional values, establishing peace and solidarity among varied communities.
On one hand, the movement is also a campaign against exploitation done unto women and minorities throughout the nation.
This year CARAVAN was formed involving dedicated women participants from different states of India. The CARAVAN began its rally from Kanyakumari, the southernmost part of the country on the September 22 and closing event was in Delhi, on October 13, covering five states and cities on the route.
“It was a great experience for me to be part of the CARAVAN and to contribute towards the cause of women’s rights. Joining in this noble movement was a unique opportunity. We learned many good things and shared our bit regarding peace and harmony among the people and equal rights for girls and women; with the people we met in the meetings in many cities, said Sanjukta Digal, a woman from Kandhamal district of Odisha, Eastern India.
Another participant, narrated with immense joy and satisfaction, “in the meetings, we presented our message unity, equality, peace and development of our country through songs, speech, banners and skits.”
“Meetings were organised in schools and colleges too. To whichever places we went and conducted the programmes, people over there were very welcoming, cordial and hospitable. Even if some of us came out of our homes for the first time, not knowing languages and places and eating different types and taste food was challenging, at the same time was worthwhile, because we did something for our nation,” said Digal.
When the CARAVAN arrived in Odisha, the Eastern portion of India, the team was welcomed with lots of warmth and cheers in big number of people, men and women, in Berhampur, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Talcher, Sambalpur, and Bargarh. The team members inspired the gathered people in several hundreds.
“Let’s join our hands for peace, justice and development of country and respect for girl children and women. There should be equal rights and freedom of speech of women and minorities. There should not be any more incidence of sexual abuse in our states. Let us also say no to bribe and exploitation,” a participant said.
“It was an eye opener. I was thinking the exploitation of women and minorities happening in my own state. But they are happening throughout our country. Girls, women, and minorities are suffering in every state. To end all this evil all people, irrespective of caste, creed and gender need to join and this sort of movements need to be organised in cities and villages of the country for greater awareness and honest living for lovelier atmosphere” was the opinion of most of the member who took part in the CARAVAN.
Many participants expressed their new experiences in much enthusiasm and wished to utilise the learning, “Many good things that we learned from nearly a month programme in so many states and cities with different culture and language people won’ go waste, we are going to make use of our learning and experience by organising our women friends and others for a better society where there would be greater security and respect for girls, women and minority in our places and in our country at large.”
The movement has been taking place in the past years and organised by several NGOs across India.